Pest identification
What's eating my pleiospilos nelii 'royal flush'?
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy masses in the central cleft between leaf pairs; feeding causes leaf pair edges to discolour and weaken
Control: Use a fine cotton bud with 70% isopropyl alcohol to reach the cleft; follow with neem oil spray; repeat every 7 days
Root mealybugs
Signs: Plant fails to regenerate new leaf pairs; white wax deposits on roots and potting medium when removed from pot
Control: Unpot, remove all soil, treat roots with systemic insecticide drench, let dry completely, repot in very gritty dry mineral mix
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on the thick leaf surfaces; webbing in the cleft between leaves in very dry heated conditions
Control: Wipe outer leaf surfaces with a damp cloth; spray with diluted neem oil; avoid overhead watering which promotes other issues
Keep pleiospilos nelii 'royal flush' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats split rock — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common pleiospilos nelii 'royal flush' problems & fixes
- Pleiospilos nelii 'Royal Flush' watering schedule
- Pleiospilos nelii 'Royal Flush' light requirements
- Full pleiospilos nelii 'royal flush' care guide
Pleiospilos nelii 'Royal Flush' pests — FAQ
What is eating my pleiospilos nelii 'royal flush'?
Pleiospilos nelii 'Royal Flush' (Split Rock) is a mimicry plant and attracts very few pests when kept correctly dry. Mealybugs are the primary threat, especially at the cleft between the stone-like leaf pairs. Root mealybugs are common. Overwatering causes rot far more frequently than any pest — dryness is the best defence.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on pleiospilos nelii 'royal flush'?
White fluffy masses in the central cleft between leaf pairs; feeding causes leaf pair edges to discolour and weaken Use a fine cotton bud with 70% isopropyl alcohol to reach the cleft; follow with neem oil spray; repeat every 7 days
How do I get rid of root mealybugs on pleiospilos nelii 'royal flush'?
Plant fails to regenerate new leaf pairs; white wax deposits on roots and potting medium when removed from pot Unpot, remove all soil, treat roots with systemic insecticide drench, let dry completely, repot in very gritty dry mineral mix
How do I get rid of spider mites on pleiospilos nelii 'royal flush'?
Fine pale stippling on the thick leaf surfaces; webbing in the cleft between leaves in very dry heated conditions Wipe outer leaf surfaces with a damp cloth; spray with diluted neem oil; avoid overhead watering which promotes other issues